US C and D Visas: Transit Visas and Crewmember Visas Explained

Not every trip through the United States requires a full visitor or work visa, but that doesn’t mean you can skip immigration paperwork altogether. Two lesser-known categories cover people who are only in the U.S. briefly, either passing through to another country or working aboard a ship or aircraft: the C visa (transit) and the D visa (crew-member). They’re often confused with one another, and travelers sometimes need both at the same time.

This guide breaks down who each visa is for, when you actually need one, what the application involves, and how long you’re allowed to stay.

What Is the C Visa (Transit Visa)?

The C visa is a nonimmigrant category for people who are traveling through the United States on their way to another country and have no other reason to enter the U.S. It exists specifically for “immediate and continuous transit” – meaning you land, connect, and leave, without conducting business, sightseeing, or any other activity while you’re here.

There are three subcategories:

• C-1 – for the general traveling public passing through the U.S. to reach a foreign destination
• C-2 – for individuals transiting to or from United Nations Headquarters in New York under the UN Headquarters Agreement
• C-3 – for foreign government officials, their family members, attendants, and staff transiting the U.S. on official business

C-1: The Standard Transit Visa

Most transit travelers fall under C-1. According to the State Department, you generally need a C-1 visa if you’re a foreign traveler with a brief layover in the United States and transiting is the only reason you’re entering the country – for example, a cruise ship passenger whose vessel docks briefly in a U.S. port before continuing to another country, without any intention of leaving the port area.

To qualify for a C-1 visa, you typically need to show that you:

• Intend to pass in immediate and continuous transit through the U.S.
• Hold a ticket or other confirmed transportation arrangement to your onward destination
• Have sufficient funds to complete your journey
• Have permission to enter your next destination once you leave the U.S.

C-2: United Nations Transit

C-2 visas apply narrowly to people transiting the U.S. specifically to reach or leave the United Nations Headquarters District in New York, under the Headquarters Agreement between the U.S. and the UN. C-2 holders are restricted to a limited geographic area around UN Headquarters and generally cannot travel elsewhere in the country. This visa is issued by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.

C-3: Foreign Government Officials in Transit

C-3 covers foreign government officials, and their spouses, children, and attendants, who are passing through the U.S. en route to another country on official government business. Unlike C-2, C-3 holders aren’t confined to a single city and may need to show evidence of their diplomatic or official status along with a pre-arranged travel itinerary.

When You Don’t Need a Separate C Visa

Not every layover requires you to apply for a transit visa. If you already hold a valid B visitor visa, you may be able to use it to transit the U.S. Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program may also be able to transit without a visa, using ESTA authorization instead. On the other hand, if your layover involves a purpose other than transit – visiting friends, sightseeing, attending a meeting — you’d need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa rather than a C visa, since a transit visa doesn’t permit any other activity.

What Is the D Visa (Crewmember Visa)?

The D visa is for people working aboard a commercial sea vessel or international airline that will be landing or docking in the United States, providing services necessary for the vessel or aircraft’s normal operation. This includes roles like:

• Ship crew and seamen working aboard commercial vessels
• Pilots, flight attendants, and other airline crew on international flights
• Other positions whose duties are required for the normal operation of the ship or aircraft

To qualify, a consular officer needs to determine that your role is genuinely required for the vessel or aircraft’s operation – not simply that you’re traveling aboard it. Crewmembers can apply for an individual D visa or, in some cases, be included on a crew list visa covering multiple crewmembers at once.

D Visa Duration

Crewmember visa holders are generally required to depart the United States within 29 days, typically aboard the same vessel or another vessel, rather than staying for an extended period. There’s an exception for crewmembers engaged in lightering activities – the ship-to-ship transfer of liquid cargo – who may instead receive a D-3 visa allowing a stay of up to 180 days.

When You Also Need a C-1 Visa

If you’re traveling to the U.S. specifically to join a vessel or aircraft you’ll be working on – rather than already being aboard when it arrives – you generally need both a transit (C-1) visa and a crewmember (D) visa. In practice, many applicants are issued a combination C-1/D visa covering both purposes, provided the reciprocity schedule for their country allows it and a consular officer determines they qualify. This combination visa allows a longer authorized stay of up to 180 days in some cases, since it covers the additional time needed to reach and board the vessel.

Fishing Vessels Are an Exception

Crewmembers working on a fishing vessel with a home port or operating base in the United States are generally not eligible for a D visa. Depending on the nature of the work, a different category – such as an H-2 visa for temporary workers – may apply instead.

Required Documents for C and D Visa Applicants

While your consulate may request additional evidence depending on your situation, most C and D visa applications include:

• A completed Form DS-160, the online nonimmigrant visa application
• A valid passport, generally valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the U.S., unless your country has a specific exemption agreement
• Your DS-160 confirmation page
• A recent photo, uploaded as part of the DS-160 (or a printed photo if the upload fails)
• Proof of onward travel arrangements, such as a ticket or itinerary, for C visa applicants
• A copy of your current employment contract and a letter from your employer confirming your role aboard the vessel or aircraft, for D visa applicants
• Evidence of sufficient funds to complete your journey, for C-1 applicants

Each traveler, including family members listed in the same passport, must submit a separate application. Spouses and children accompanying a crewmember who aren’t themselves performing required duties aboard the vessel generally need a B-2 visitor visa instead of a D visa, unless they qualify to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

Application Process

The general steps for applying for a C or D visa are similar to other nonimmigrant visa categories:

1. Determine which visa (or combination) you need. If you’re only passing through the U.S., C-1 is likely correct. If you’re joining a vessel already docked or in U.S. waters, you may need a combination C-1/D visa.
2. Complete Form DS-160 online through the Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
3. Pay the visa application (MRV) fee and schedule your interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. If your travel dates are tight and your consulate’s earliest slot doesn’t work, it’s worth checking whether the expedited appointment pilot program is available for your case.
4. Attend your interview, bringing your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, and supporting documents relevant to your travel purpose.
5. Receive the consular officer’s decision. Applicants younger than 13 or older than 80 are generally not required to attend an in-person interview, though a consular officer may still request one at their discretion.

Costs

C and D visas fall under the Department of State’s fee schedule for non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas:

• Visa application (MRV) fee: $185 per applicant, which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome

Depending on your nationality, an additional visa issuance (reciprocity) fee may apply, based on the reciprocity agreement between your country and the U.S. These fees vary by nationality and visa type, so check the State Department’s country-specific reciprocity table before applying. Because fees are updated periodically, always confirm the current amount on the official U.S. Department of State fee schedule.

Key Restrictions to Know

Both categories come with limits that are worth understanding before you travel:

• No change of status. C visa holders generally cannot change to another nonimmigrant status while in the U.S., though adjusting to permanent resident status may be possible in limited circumstances.
• No extensions beyond the authorized purpose. Your stay is tied to your onward travel or your vessel’s departure – it isn’t meant to be extended for other purposes.
• Route and schedule matter. Departure is expected to follow the itinerary presented at your visa interview and confirmed at the port of entry. Interrupting your journey for anything beyond a scheduled connection isn’t permitted under a transit visa.
• Genuine operational necessity for D visas. A consular officer will look at whether your role is actually required for the vessel or aircraft’s operation, not just whether you’re listed as crew.

Key Takeaways

The C and D visa categories exist for narrow, specific situations: passing through the U.S. without stopping for any other purpose, or working aboard a ship or aircraft that lands or docks in the country. Because these visas grant limited privileges and enforce short authorized stays, it’s worth confirming which category – or combination – fits your travel plans before booking tickets or scheduling a consular appointment. Getting it wrong can mean delays, denied boarding, or being turned away at the port of entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a C visa if I already have a US visitor (B) visa?

Not necessarily. If you already hold a valid B visitor visa, you may be able to use it to transit the United States instead of applying separately for a C visa. Whether this applies depends on your specific travel plans, so it’s worth confirming with the embassy or consulate handling your case.

Can I visit friends or go sightseeing during a layover on a C visa?

No. A C visa only permits immediate and continuous transit through the United States. If your layover involves any other purpose – visiting people, sightseeing, business meetings – you would need a B visitor visa instead.

How long can I stay in the US on a transit (C) visa?

Transit visa holders are generally limited to a maximum stay of 29 days, and departure must follow the route and schedule presented at the visa interview and confirmed at the port of entry.

What’s the difference between a D visa and a combination C-1/D visa?

A D visa alone covers crewmembers who are already aboard the vessel or aircraft when it arrives in the U.S. If you need to travel to the U.S. first to join a vessel that’s already there, you generally need both a transit (C-1) visa and a crewmember (D) visa, often issued together as a combination C-1/D visa.

Are fishing vessel crewmembers eligible for a D visa?

Generally, no, if the fishing vessel has a home port or operating base in the United States. Crewmembers in that situation would typically need a different visa category, such as an H-2 temporary worker visa, depending on the nature of the work.

Can my spouse or children travel with me on a D visa?

Not under the same D visa. Spouses and children who aren’t performing required duties aboard the vessel or aircraft generally need a B-2 visitor visa to accompany a crewmember, unless they qualify to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

How much does a C or D visa cost?

The standard visa application (MRV) fee is $185 per applicant. Depending on your nationality, an additional reciprocity-based issuance fee may also apply, so it’s worth checking the State Department’s fee and reciprocity tables for your specific country.

Can I extend my stay on a C or D visa?

Generally, no. These categories are tied to a specific, short-term purpose – transiting to another country or working aboard a vessel or aircraft – and don’t come with an extension process the way longer-term visas do. Overstaying beyond your authorized period can affect future visa eligibility.